Why Tour? - Quotes from other cyclists

"So, why do this you ask?

I think the physical challenge is most important. The sense of exploration and Adventure satisfies immensely. I could meet as many people at the overnights traveling comfortably by car or RV but I would miss the people opportunities along the way as water and food stops are absolutely essential.

Something new, interesting, and a little bit scary is important too. And perhaps really most important at this time I have an interest in things with wheels powered by people and this is merely one aspect of that interest.

So this whole interest is one of life's chance directions? Being in the elements (wind, rain, sun), the smells, and 'feel of the land' is important too, part of the experience. Each to our own, I guess!"

Ian Lindridge

"A huge part of the fun for me is being away from telephones, computers, newpapers and just everything and everyone that I know.... hum.... maybe the kids are right. please send me your extra medication!"

Dave Miller

"Why do I tour? I'd really have to think about that.

I enjoy the challenge, though as we've all discovered, touring isn't a huge physical defiance of one's limitations, really. It's more a matter of being prepared for anything and being stubborn enough to keep going. I think the 'challenge' aspect is part of why my tours so far have all been 'around' something - there's a goal in mind.
I enjoy the escapism. I work in a fairly stressful environment (pager/phone/email 24/7, big business consequences of outages, etc) and really like being 'out of range' for a while now and then.

I enjoy camping and being out in the big world. Being on a bike, or in a tent, seems so much more blithesome than being inside a car or a house. You see so much more at a bicycle's speed. And when you get somewhere under your own power, you've really gotten there, rather just having arrived.

I enjoy navigating and figuring out where to go and what to do based on what's happening at that moment. Incidentals such as head winds, tail winds, flat tires, broken deraileurs, road construction, or a host of other things beyond your control all influence where I'll end up that day, and in the long run none of them are really negatives.

Why do I tour? It's complicated, and maybe my reasons for touring will continue to evolve, but I think the above sums it up for me. "

Brian Huntley

"I tour because I like to ride my bike, and I like to ride my bike in interesting, new, scenic places.

I really like the independence of self-contained touring where (in theory) I can camp anywhere. And I strongly prefer solo touring because I get to set the agenda with very few compromises (totally selfish, some might say).

I like being able to travel cheaply, but I also like having enough money to stay in a motel if I feel like it, and having enough money for a restaurant meal every day if a restaurant is on the route.

I feel a great sense of accomplishment after doing a multi-day tour with all the movement provided by my own muscles.

And I greatly enjoy doing things differently than "the masses" do it (maybe that's why I like recumbents). I really don't like highly structured tours, or at least I don't like tours where the structure is imposed by somebody else. That's why I have a preference for independent solo touring, and have very little interest in "guided" touring or large group tours of any kind.”

Wayne Estes

"To me, bicycle touring is about as close to total self-sufficiency as one can get while having a certain amount of mobility. I suppose the ultimate would be to go someplace and live off the land but that usually puts you into competition with the coyote!"

Jim Foreman

"Why do I tour?

I tour because I love every aspect of it.

Physical Challenge

I like to challenge myself. As I spent most of pre 40’s laying on the couch, my challenge is not severe. I have gone from fat and flabby to reasonably fit recently. I found my desire to tour more effectively was more of an inspiration to get in shape than worrying about the long term consequence of fat and flabby. Now I feel I could tour forever if life permitted. Last year I wanted to cut the cost of touring and up the physical challenge so I migrated from the credit card group to the fully loaded group.

Planning

This is an enjoyable activity when it is too cold to ride. I pour over maps and read every journal of anyone who has toured the areas I have selected. The journals are inspirational and informative. If there is one thing that “got me going” it was the online journals. Now that I have some experience on the road, I plan in great detail and then use it as a rough guide once I am on the road.

Exploring

Roads that I have never traveled have great appeal. "

Jim Oliver

Do you have your own reason for touring?

Please drop me an email or place a message in the Mailing List explaining why you like to tour!

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